Eight original names for boats
Naming a boat is a time-honored tradition steeped in superstition, pride, and personal creativity. Finding a name that is truly unique, easy to communicate over the radio, and carries special meaning can be quite a challenge.
If you’re looking to sail away from the clichés like “Blue Wind” or “Siren” and want a name that tells a story and resonates with the mystery of the deep ocean, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are eight original boat names, drawing inspiration from mythology, exotic geography, and the poetry of the sea:
Unique and Evocative Names for Your Vessel
- Abroholos
- Origin & Meaning: Named after the Abrolhos Archipelago, a collection of islands and treacherous sandbanks off the coast of Brazil, known for both danger and biodiversity.
- Symbolism: Evokes the peril and hidden beauty of the sea, ideal for an adventurous or exploratory vessel that isn’t afraid to face the unknown.
- Barbarrosa
- Origin & Meaning: A reference to Hayreddin Barbarossa, the famous 16th-century Ottoman corsair and admiral known for his audacity and success in the Mediterranean.
- Symbolism: A powerful name that suggests strength, leadership, and an untamed nature. Perfect for a sailboat or yacht with undeniable character.
- Chusor
- Origin & Meaning: Of uncertain origin, but with a sound reminiscent of the sea breeze or the whisper of the water. In some Mediterranean cultures, it suggests lightness and speed.
- Symbolism: Ideal for swift, light vessels, suggesting a fast and effortless journey over the waves.
- Elai
- Origin & Meaning: A name of Basque origin meaning “swallow” (the bird).
- Symbolism: A name that symbolizes freedom and joy. It is perfect for a vessel that brings happiness and travels far, much like the migratory bird it is named after.
- Izar
- Origin & Meaning: Also of Basque origin, meaning “star.”
- Symbolism: A poetic name that connects navigation with celestial guidance and dreams. Perfect for an elegant sailboat, suggesting that it is always guided by the heavens.
- Macara
- Origin & Meaning: In Greek mythology, Macaria (or Macara) is the daughter of Hades and Persephone, associated with “blessed death.”
- Symbolism: An enigmatic name that suggests destiny, profound depth, and the eternal cycle of the sea. A unique name with a rich, mysterious cultural background.
- Sedna
- Origin & Meaning: In Inuit (Eskimo) mythology, Sedna is the goddess of the sea and marine animals, the mother of all life in the ocean.
- Symbolism: A name that invokes the protection of the sea deity. Ideal for any vessel, seeking her favor and safe passage through deep waters.
- Zuar
- Origin & Meaning: A name of biblical origin meaning “smallness, humility.”
- Symbolism: It represents humility, acknowledging the smallness of the human being against the vast and powerful immensity of the ocean.
A Final Piece of Navigational Advice
Remember the old superstition: it is never considered good luck to change a boat’s name without first conducting a formal “de-naming” or “decommissioning” ceremony. Choose your name wisely, thinking of the stories you want your vessel to live out on the sea.